COMING FRUIT SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20991, 30 September 1931, Page 12

COMING FRUIT SEASON.

PROSPECTS IN AUCKLAND. ABUNDANT YIELD EXPECTED. EFFECTS OF WET WEATHER. / ' - In spite of the recent continued nn- / favourable weather there is every indication that Auckland's fruit crop this year will lie abundant in nearly all classes. Merchants and growers from whom inquiries were nvado yesterday anticipate considerable increases on last year's output, particularly if an improvement takes place shortly in the weather conditions. Largely as a result of the saturated condition of (he land, the planting of small fruits has been somewhat delayed. It has been usual to plant outdoor tomatoes for the commercial crop at this time :of the year, but these operations have been held back to sonic extent, though at the moment extensive transplantings aro being made at Avondale and Otahuhu. The indications are that a slightly less quantity than usual will lie set out. Growers are showing a disposition to cultivate more Cape gooseberries. Although it is too early to plant these out, preparations are being made for extensive plantings later. Strawberry Plants Well Established. A review of the glasshouse tomato crop shows that the plants arc well advanced, as, although the weather bus been inclement, thertj have been few low tern* ' peratures. This phase of (he industry lias been more fully developed, several new glasshouses having been erected since last season. Strawberry plants have established themselves well and the losses from disease have proved to bo not so acute as was feared a month ago. The plants are showing an abundance of bloom and growers are busy with the final fertilisation and mulching. It is expected that the first berries will be available toward the end of' October, well up to their usual time. Past experience of similar years indicates that an extended fruiting season can expected. This year about 3,000,000 strawberry plants are out, compared with about 2,250,000 last year.

The prospects for stone fruit are equally encouraging. Throughout the district there is an abundance of plum and peach blossom and although it is somewhat early to forecast results, varieties such as Paragon, which are sufficiently advanced to give an indication, point to a most fruitful season. Plums, Pears and Apples. Plums in particular have been most prolific in their blossoming. As many of the newly-introduced varieties bear early there should be an abundance of stone fruit before the apples and pears come in. Formerly the older varieties used to overlap with tho pip fruits, but now the stone fruit season is considerably advanced. For many years past the pear crop in the district has been held in check by the ravages of the "pear midge," but as this pest was less troublesome last year the trees have had an opportunity to recover to some extent and have responded by an intense bud development this year. The varieties which have flowered or arc now in flower are showing indications of at least a 50 per cent, increase ip crop. The fertilisation of the blossom depends considerably upon the weather, but growers are very sanguine as to results. In many districts where, because of the "midgC, ' pears have not been harvested for year/, there seems every likelihood of crops again. The apple crop development is not yet sufficiently advanced to enable reliable estimates to be made as to output, but . the general condition of the trees is remarkably good and the crop certainly ■will be equal to if not greater than last year's. The extensive rainfall in recent months has resulted in the loss of a number of trees from sour sap condition, bvoughf/abont by waterlogged woods. This is more particularly so with the variety Delicious, which is extremely susceptible to excess moisture. Citrus Prospects Excellent. Inquiries from citrus fruit nurserymen show that plantings this year have been equal to if not greater than those of last year. Tlie winter crop was rather below that of the previous year in quantity because of the heavy frosts of 1930, but as no very severe ones have been experienced this year the trees have recovered ' their tone and the incoming season's prospects should be rather brighter than last year's. Growers are making preparations for extended export, as the prices secured last year from overseas not only equalled but in some instances exceeded those of previous seasons. Not only did the fruit realise slightly better values in Britain and on the Continent, but exchange also was decidedly in the exporters' favour.